Pink Eye: Care and Stopping the Spread

Pink eye is one of those things that arrives overnight: you wake up with lashes stuck together and the white of the eye gone pink. Most of the time it is not serious. But it spreads fast, and a small number of cases are warning signs of something more serious, so it is worth knowing both sides.

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. The usual causes are viruses, bacteria and allergens. It can also be triggered by chemicals, contact lens wear, or something getting into the eye. It usually affects both eyes.

What are the symptoms?

• Pink or red colour in the white of the eye
• Burning, itching, irritation, or a gritty feeling like something is in the eye
• Watery, teary eyes
• Discharge of pus or mucus, which can stick to the lashes, especially overnight
• Swelling of the eyelids or of the thin layer lining the white of the eye

How do you care for it at home?

The NHS says conjunctivitis usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment. While you wait:

• Wash your eyelids gently with water that has been boiled and cooled, using clean cotton pads. Use a separate pad for each eye and throw it away afterwards.
• With clean hands, wipe discharge from around the eyes several times a day using a clean wet cloth or fresh cotton balls, and discard them after use.
• Hold a cold, clean cloth over the eyes for a few minutes for relief.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the eye has been better for some time or an eye specialist says it is safe. Throw away disposable lenses and the case used during the infection.
• Do not rub your eyes, however much they itch.

A pharmacist can advise on eye drops or antihistamines. Antibiotics only work when the cause is bacterial, so they will not help a viral or allergic case, and a doctor decides whether they are needed.

How do you stop it spreading?

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious and pass easily from person to person, usually on hands and shared items.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and always before and after touching the eyes or putting in drops. Hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol works when soap is not available.
• Wash pillowcases, sheets, face cloths and towels often in hot water with detergent.
• Do not share towels, pillows, face cloths, eye drops, eye make-up or make-up brushes. Do not share glasses, contact lenses or lens cases.
• Never use the same eye drop bottle for an infected eye and an uninfected one.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing, and throw tissues away straight away.
• Stay out of swimming pools until the infection has cleared.
• Clean your glasses carefully, and avoid putting them down on shared surfaces.

There is usually no need to stay away from school or work unless you feel very unwell, though someone with ongoing symptoms should avoid activities involving close contact with others. Check with the school or your doctor if you are not sure.

When to see a doctor

Get an urgent medical appointment if you have any of these, because they can point to a more serious eye problem:

• Pain in your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Changes in your vision, such as wavy lines or flashing
• Very red eyes, particularly if only one eye is affected

Also see a doctor if:

• A newborn baby has red or sticky eyes. If the baby is less than 30 days old, this is urgent, because infection in a newborn's eyes can be very serious.
• You wear contact lenses and have symptoms plus spots on your eyelids.
• Symptoms have not cleared after 7 days.

If someone has sudden loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or severe eye pain with vomiting, do not wait. Call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.